DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2513, 14 May 1902, Page 14

DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY.

The ordinary meeting of the Efrmedin Presbytery wa3 held in First Church hall on the 6th inst., and pttended bl the Revs. W. Scorgie (moderator), W. Will, J. M. M'Kerrow, J. Chisholm, J. TJ. Spence, D. Borrie, R. R. M. Sutherland, I. K. M'lntyre, A. Cameron, A. Greig, E. C Tennent, R. Fairmaid, J. Christie, J. C. Jamie3on, W. M. Nicolson, R. Mackie, J. J. Cairney, J. B. Hall, W. Hewitson, and A. M. Finlayson (clerk) ; Messrs D. Thomson, T. Somerville, J. F. Lorie, R. Edmisfcon, G. Reid, J. Waugh, J. Waddell, W. Button, A. Chisholm, T. H. Dick, R. H. ScoU, H. Wise, and J. T. Johnson (elders). THE MODEEATOESHIP. The first business was the appointment of moderator. The Rev. Mr Jamieson was next on tha list, but asked to be excused from taking office owing to being at a distance from town and to an inefficient train service. This was agreed to, and the Rev. J. B. Hall, next on the list, was appointed moderator for the next six months in place of the Rev. Mr Scorgie, the retiring moderator. CALL. TO EOSITN. The Rev. D. Borrie handed in a. call to the Rev. J. Chisholm, eigned by 51 out of 63 members and by 45 adherents of the Roslyn Presbyterian Church. The call, he stated, could not have been more unanimous, and ha would move that it be sustained and put into Mr Chisholm's hands. This was unanimously agreed to. • [ The Rev. Mr Chisholm intimated that he accepted the call. It was decided that the induction take place on next Tuesday week, the Rev. Mr Fairmaid to preach, the- Rev. Mr Borrie to preside and induct and address the minister, and the Rev. Mr M'Kerrow to address the people. [ OHI7RCH EXTENSION. The Rev. Mr Chisholm submitted the report of the committee set up on home mission work and church extension in Dunedin and suburbs. The report was received, and the following recommendations considered seriatim: — 1. " That a list of places be prepared where Sabbath schools or other Sabbath services should be started, and that the presbytery appoint a committee to make special inquiry ! as to the practicability of starting services in those place 3." — The following places were suggested as suitable for starting Sabbath schools in: — South Dunedin, the Flat or Kensington, Maori Hill, Pelichet Bay, Opoho, and Woodhatigh. — It was agreed — " That a committee be appointed to look fully into the matter with the ministers of the oity and suburban congregations, along with an. elder from this session." 2. " That the committee recommend the presbytery to proceed with the division of the city and suburbs into ecclesiastical territories, and for this purpose appointed a committee to define the territory to be allotted to the pastoral charge of each ses»ion.' v — The recommendation was agreed to, the Rev. Mr Chisholm to be convener of the committee.— The following churches, it was reported, were in favour of the territorial system: — St. Stephen's, North-East "Valley, First Church, St. Andrew's, Knox Church, Mornington, Chalmer3 Church, South Dunedin, and Caversham. 3. "That the answer to the question regarding the employment of deaconesses or Bible-women be tabulated and submitted to the presbytery for consideration." — It was agreed to defer the matter to the next meeting of the presbytery. The following churches were reported to be in favour of the appointment of deaconesses:—Caversham, South Dunedin, Chalmers Church, Mornington, Knox Church, St. Andrew's, First Church, North-East Valley, St. Stephen's, Kaikorai. St. Andrew's had employed Sister Christobcl for the paat year with gratifying results, j and Knox Church had referred the matter to it 3 Advising Committee with power to act. First Church would employ a sister if fund's permitted. Chalmer3 Church rocommended that all deaconesses be employed by a central authority. 4. "That all other suggestions be tabulated and submitted to the presbytery for consideration at is first meeting." — Adopted. i Various answers were received by the- oom- ; mittce to the questions as to increase or decrease of membership. In answer to the question whether the increase of membership j was proportionate to increase of population ! the following replied in the negative: — ! Caverabain, South Dunedin, Chalmers ! Church, Kaikorai, and North-East Valley, i The following replied in the affirmative: — : First Church, St. Andrew's, and Morning- ■ ton. Various answers were received from St. Stephen's, Mornington, Kaikorai, and North-Easfc Valley in explanation of decrease of members. With the exception, of Knox Church replies were received that the church accommodation in each particular district was adequate. The following statement in the report showed the percentage of members attending the communion for tha year: — Chalmers Church, 69; South Dunedin, 64.9; First Church, 62.3; Knox, 60.6; 1 Morninuton, 56,9 : Kaitoorai, £ft.si Sit -An- ,

drew's, 52.2; Cav-ersham, 51J.J North. Bun>i edin, 41.3. The remainder of the report was discussec! in committee. GEKEEAI. The Revs. Cameron (convener), Chisholm,Hewiteon, and Mackie were appointed a committee to draw up a scheme for ministerial visitation. A letter was received from Mr T. M. Cuttle, Caversham, urging the desirability of forming a lay preachers' association, in. connection with each church. Some system) of instruction was needed. In many cases they had often to take ti»e place of qualified ministers, and felt unable to adequately do< so. — It was resolved to refer the letter to the Sabbath School Teachers' Examination Committee to consider and report. The Rev. J. Chisholm gave notice of mo-» tion that a Presbyterian officebearers' Association be formed in the city and suburbs. A notification was received from the synod drawing attention to the resolution of tha General Assembly recommending immediate action in the matter- of Bible-reading int schools. — A committee was appointed tot give effect to the resolutions of the Assembly. A committee was appointed to consider I and leport on the home mission scheme. In reply to a letter from, the clerk of thei sustontation fund the clerk was instructed to write to the aid-receiving .congregations and! ask that a balance sheet be forwarded to I the presbytery. An application was made by. the- Mosgiel j Church for a grant of £50 for repairs $o the church. — The Rev. Mr Fairmaid wjta- ap- \ pointed to- visit and rfeport.